2011 Short Film Competition

Emerging Division

1st Place (Tie): Let Me Finish (dir. Alex Murphy)Let Me Finish shares the personal experiences of Evan, Behnaz, and Joy—three life-long stutterers living in Austin, Texas. Through their compelling interviews, their group meetings at the National Stuttering Association Austin chapter, and expert testimony from leading UT Speech Language Pathologist Dr. Courtney Byrd, the documentary explores the physical and psychological effects of stuttering, dispels commonly held myths perpetuated by the media, and informs friends, family and others how they can help make communication a little easier for stutterers in their own lives. View Let Me Finish

still from Performance of Drowning

1st Place (Tie): When a Line of Light Shines (dir. Shahriar Pourseyedian)
A documentary about two children with severe disabilities who live in Iran. One of them is deaf, and the other has a severe mobility impairment.

2nd Place: Performance of Drowning (dir. Jeanette Castillo)
On a trip to 'Crippled Children's Camp' Terry Galloway falls for the deep end swimming instructor, nearly drowning as she learns to perform her newly-discovered queer, disabled identity. View Performance of Drowning

Scholastic Division

2nd Place: Dedicated to Jesse Isabelle (dir. Eric Fox)
Jesse Isabelle and Daniel Dintzner were best friends at Perkins School for the Blind. Both had struggled in their previous school, but found a home at Perkins. They bonded over their love of swimming, the Red Sox, and were nearly inseparable. When Jesse suddenly passed away, Daniel tries to find a way to keep his memory alive. This short film is about the enduring power of friendship, regardless of ability. View Dedicated to Jesse Isabelle

3rd Place: The Kingsmen (dir. Danny Benrey)
A Documentary about an autistic rock band called The Kingsmen.

CTD works to ensure that persons with disabilities may work, live, learn, play and participate fully in the community of their choice. CTD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with Federal Tax ID #74-2071160.